The soap opera star has a unique connection to Baldwin

ALEC Baldwin has one defender in a fellow star as the actor is currently facing involuntary manslaughter charges in the shooting death of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Young and the Restless star Eric Braeden jumped to the actor’s defense by posting a heartfelt, personal video on his Instagram.

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The Young and the Restless star Eric Braeden posted a heartfelt video in defense of Alec BaldwinCredit: Instagram/ericbraedengudegast

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Alec Baldwin and Rust cast on setCredit: Instagram

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Alex Baldwin on Rust setCredit: Instagram / Alec Baldwin

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Alec Baldwin on trialCredit: EPA
Eric has been an actor for over sixty years, appearing in blockbusters like Titanic, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, and Den of Thieves.

He is best known for portraying Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless, a role he’s held onto for over 44 years.

“Hi, I’m Eric Braeden and I listen to the news,” the actor starts, before adding that he’s been “following [Alec Baldwin’s charges and trial] since the beginning.”

“I’m actually outraged that it has come to this,” Eric says in the video.

“I’ve been an actor since 1962,” he continued.

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Actor Alec Baldwin has been accompanied by his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, every day of the trial so far, which is taking place in Santa Fe, New MexicoCredit: Reuters
“I’ve been on more sets with guns — used more guns in the various guest-starring roles I’ve played, always as the bad guy — so I know d*mn well that as actors, we are not responsible for whether the damn gun is loaded or not.”

“The prop person comes to you. This has been the case for over 60 years for me,” he continued.

“To hold [Baldwin] responsible is simply unrealistic, totally unfair, in the sense, that as an actor, that’s the last thing you think about.”

“I learned to think about it because I’ve done so many action shows, from The Rat Patrol on, Combat!, etc. etc,” Erin shared.

“So only an actor who’s really used to being in action moments in films as I was, you know” would even be thinking about it.

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Alec Baldwin breaks down at Rust trial and clings to his wife as judge considers dismissing case over ‘hidden evidence’
“It is incumbent upon the [assistant director] and the prop person to make sure the actor has seen that the gun is not loaded, that there’s not even one bullet left.”

“Otherwise you’ll play Russian Roulette

“So that has been the case, for 60 years, during my career,” Eric continued.

The real responsible people on the set are the assistant director, and maybe a producer … [and] an armorer

Eric Braeden

“Alec Baldwin I don’t think is used to doing a lot of action films, so he was assured when he was given the gun, I’m certain, ‘There’s no bullet in here.’”

“Why the hell would he otherwise take it? Are you nuts?” Eric questioned.

“The responsibility,” he continued, “doesn’t fall on the executive producers, or the actors.

“The real responsible people on the set are the assistant director, and maybe a producer…[and] an armorer.”

Eric goes on to say that Alec Baldwin is a responsible, good man, who likely even has a “disdain” for guns.

“I hope the jury will see that and understand that, and exonerate him.”

Eric confirmed in the video that he doesn’t know Alec personally, but knows him “peripherally.”

Alec, who has appeared in movies like Beetlejuice, The Royal Tenenbaums, and The Departed, does have a unique tie to Eric, however.

The duo are both soap stars, with Alec getting his big break by appearing on the sixth and seventh season of Knots Landing, an ABC soap opera and spin-off of the popular Dallas series.

Alec’s trial kicked off on Wednesday, July 10, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as he faces charges of involuntary manslaughter.

In 2021, Alec discharged a revolver, initially being used as a prop, that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

The shooting also injured Rust’s director, Joel Souza.

In January 2023, Alec was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, but both charges were dropped in April 2023.

In January 2024, he was once again indicted for an involuntary manslaughter charge.

Alec has maintained his innocence, arguing that he thought he was using a prop gun with fake bullets.

Armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed had mistakenly loaded a live round in the gun earlier that day.

She was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in March 2024, and sentenced to 18 months in prison.

During the trial’s opening statements, the prosecution argued that the longtime actor violated “cardinal rules of firearm safety,” as Alec looked on with his arms crossed.

On Friday, July 12, the judge in Alec’s trial sent the jury home early, with testimony set to continue on Monday.

Alec’s wife, Hilaria Baldwin, has been by the actor’s side for each day of his trial so far, which is scheduled to run through July 19.

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Eric Braeden with Melody Thomas Scott on The Young and the RestlessCredit: Getty

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Actor Alec Baldwin walks outside the courthouseCredit: Reuters